Bunnell's Mitchell-Adams twins pool their talent

Haley Mitchell-Adams and her twin brother Hunter Mitchell-Adams, swimmers at Bunnell High School in Stratford.

Haley Mitchell-Adams and her twin brother Hunter Mitchell-Adams, swimmers at Bunnell High School in Stratford.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Bunnell's Mitchell-Adams twins pool their talent

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Not only are Hunter and Haley Mitchell-Adams two of the most talented and dependable athletes Adam Fielding has coached, they're also among the most dedicated high schoolers he knows.

Fielding, a constant in Bunnell's swimming program for nearly a decade, can count on one hand the number of practices the two have missed over the last four years.

"I think (Hunter) missed one when he went for an interview somewhere," the coach said. "Between the two of them, they don't miss much. If it's possible for them to be there, they'll be there."

Both have developed into strong swimmers -- record-setters, in fact -- and share a "practice makes permanent" attitude. They're both captains, as well.

Hunter's twin sister can chalk up a missed practice or two to college visits. She's near the top of her senior class academically and lists Yale as her top college choice.

"Even when you're sick, you go. You feel better when you're swimming," Haley said. "Every bit of yardage that you swim during the season will account for the hundredths of a second or tenth of a second that you are able to take off (your time) at the end."

That tireless commitment paid off for Haley this fall. The Connecticut Post All-Star won the 50 (24.47) and 100 freestyle (53.45) titles at the Class M championship meet with room to spare. Both times were school records.

Hunter broke a 40-year-old school record in the 100 backstroke (58.08) at last year's Class L final, his last competition as a junior. He's continued to produce fast times this year while recovering from scoliosis surgery last May.

The procedure set him back physically. Two titanium rods and 24 screws, each three inches long, were inserted into his back to stabilize his spine. He didn't swim for six months, and once he returned, he was forced to adjust his starting technique. Yet, Hunter stayed persistent.

"I thought I was never going to be able to swim like I used to," he said. "I was getting such good places and then all of a sudden it was taken away from me.

"I never stopped and I kept on going to practice."

He's continued to serve as a natural leader for the Bunnell-Stratford co-op, but in a slightly different way than his sister. Whereas Haley is the "awe-inspiring" talent, Fielding said, Hunter's the "very funny, relaxed, laid-back kid that is just a natural kind of spark plug."

No matter the circumstances, each has remained a steady presence around the pool. Balancing AP and honors classes, college visits and plenty of other responsibilities as teenagers, their commitment to swimming has never wavered.

"They're into it. They put their heart and soul into it," said their mother, Kelly.

Haley shared the spotlight last year with star senior Katie Krajcik, but she established herself as Bunnell's leader in the fall. She parlayed her summer training with Shoreline Elite out of the University of Bridgeport into her strongest high school season yet. And like Hunter, who will swim next year for Trinity College, Haley's impact reverberates through the Bulldogs' program.

"Swimming-wise, they're phenomenal swimmers, good athletes. ¦ But just leadership-wise and kind of maturity-wise and responsibility-wise, it's a huge hole you never really fill," said Fielding, who has coached Bunnell's girls team for five years and the boys for nine.

Both were born into a family of swimmers. Their uncle, Terry, competed in Puerto Rico for the Amateur Athletic Union when he was just 9.

Already, Hunter and Haley have carved impressive resumes of their own.

"They see it and they realize that, swimming is really good," Kelly said. "Look at what you can do."